Petition the Air Force Tanker Contract

[Steveair]

Typo. I guess, their pay rates aren't on apc anymore.

BTW -- How long have you been serving your country in the military?

I haven't served but I am a supporter of the military and making sure that is has the best equipment. I'm also a supporter of American jobs and American profit. There is absolutely no possible way that this deal with Airbus results in a greater amount of either.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I haven't served but I am a supporter of the military and making sure that is has the best equipment. I'm also a supporter of American jobs and American profit. There is absolutely no possible way that this deal with Airbus results in a greater amount of either.

That's the biggest problem with this argument. The KC-45 is not a jobs program or some kind of "New Deal" for the economy. It's about replacing a fleet of aircraft with the best option available to ensure our military can meet present a future needs.

 

[bagasticks]

That's the biggest problem with this argument. The KC-45 is not a jobs program or some kind of "New Deal" for the economy. It's about replacing a fleet of aircraft with the best option available to ensure our military can meet present a future needs.

Amen. . .politicians and most civilians appear to be forgetting the critical fact that this is NOT suppose to be an economic stimulus package. . but a deal that ensures our ability to defend the US globally for the next 60yrs. .

 

[KCPilot]

This is just the first of the tankers to be ordered. From what I remember reading a few years ago, the AF wants to replace all 500 or so KC-135 tankers in the next 10-15 years. They have also indicated that one single company could not produce that many aircraft in the alloted time. So you will most likely see a mixed fleet of Scarebus and Boeing. But then again you never know....

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I haven't served ...

I'm sorry ... can you repeat that?

 

[G-force]

Boeing Vs. Airbus

Airbus products are not built as well as Boeing. A friend of mine worked as Mechanic at America West and concurred. When I was based in Denver, Frontier was having a lot of mechanical problems. In the winter, the brakes often locked and didn't permit the tires from rotating. I'm not sure if the 330 has the same problem or not. You get what you pay for.

Despite where the product is built, the profits still go to the parent company. I'd like my tax dollars going to Boeing.

From what I've been reading, it sounds like the Air Force wanted something larger than the 767 but neglected to inform Boeing of this.

The KC-135 has operated & adapted diligently since it entered service in 1957. You can't honestly expect that an Airbus will last 50+ years... unless Airbus offered the USAF a deal like Jet Blue... Forget C checks and we'll give you a sweet deal on a new plane... Personally I buy things that last.

You are exactly right!!!!The US Gov't forgot to talk to the mx people that work on both types,they would have found out that Boeing has the BETTER PRODUCT!!!!!

 

[highsky]

BTW -- How long have you been serving your country in the military?

Does this guy need to have served in the military to be qualified to state an opinion regarding how his tax dollars are spent?

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Does this guy need to have served in the military to be qualified to state an opinion regarding how his tax dollars are spent?

No -- you're missing my point (but I do love it when people that have never served, or are currently serving, offer their opinions on this stuff). The only dog he has in this fight is that he's a US taxpayer.

Not once have I even advocated one airplane over the other -- YA KNOW WHY?

Becauser I DON"T FLY TANKERS. Neither does Steve-O. But his holier than thou attitude about all his red-blooded American consumption practices sets me off.

Bottom line -- if the AF gets the best plane, Steve-O needs to let it go.

 

[bssthound]

politicians and most civilians appear to be forgetting the critical fact that this is NOT suppose to be an economic stimulus package. . but a deal that ensures our ability to defend the US globally for the next 60yrs

To most politicians it is an economic stimulus package. If a politician can ensure that the copilot seat's left rail or the 2nd tacan antenna is built in his district then it brings in X # of jobs, translating to 2.5X # of votes, etc. The avg politician is woefully out of touch with the military and isn't nearly as concerned with having the best equipment as he is with procuring the most jobs for his district. Excuse, unless a camera is on him and then he (imagine a somber, serious tone) "couldn't be more concerned with equipping our fighting men and women with the very best equipment available."

I realize I just made a broad generalization and there are many fine folks who DO care; I'm just talking about the average politician who is trying to stay in office.

 

[Dizel8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EM0hDchVlY

I don't care how the autopilot is set up. An airplane should do as it's told. I hope that Airbus changes what their system allows / doesn't allow the pilots to do in a military aircraft.

Maybe, just maybe, you should read the report on that accident as opposed to just conjecturing while looking at pictures. When you have done so, and understand what happened, then let's talk.

 

[Steveair]

Maybe, just maybe, you should read the report on that accident as opposed to just conjecturing while looking at pictures. When you have done so, and understand what happened, then let's talk.

Screwed up the FCP. I know. Everyone knows. Everyone's been force fed that story. Bottom line, if an airplane is told to do something, I want it to do something. Don't you??

 

[Steveair]

Bottom line -- if the AF gets the best plane, Steve-O needs to let it go.

And I will. The best plane is a Boeing. Until then, I'll keep running MY post with updates on the SUBJECT of the post.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

And I will. The best plane is a Boeing.

Said by the guy that has flown neither airplane in question, nor a Boeing for that matter.

 

[ableone]

Screwed up the FCP. I know. Everyone knows. Everyone's been force fed that story. Bottom line, if an airplane is told to do something, I want it to do something. Don't you??

Apparently you don't know.

The 777 is a FBW airplane and it has had more flight control problems than the 330/340. (Uncommanded pitch ups due to unforeseen software problems in the IRS units. One failure came close to losing the airplane.)

The Airbus will actually do more for the pilot than the Boeing can. When an Airbus pilot approaches the aerodynamic limits of the airplane he/she commands flight path directly and the computer commands the controls and attitude to achieve the flightpath. Because of envelope protection the pilot can command a flight path right at the limit of the airplane's performance envelope.

The Boeing does not have this feature and is therefore more limited in maneuverability and performance.

Maybe you missed it but this type of flight control architecture can be found on these airplanes; F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, JSF.

The A-330 is a more modern capable airframe.

The Boeing Frankentanker (767-200 fuselage, 400 cockpit, 300 wing, 400 tail, 300 landing gear, etc.) was not. Boeing was five years late on the Japanese 767 tanker and it was at least an airframe that Boeing had built before. The Frankentanker scared the Air Force.

After looking at the 787 Delay-liner they were right to be afraid, very afraid.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

 

[Steveair]

Welcome to this week’s "Tanker News" update.
This past week I sent a second letter to Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne requesting an explanation on why foreign corporations, such as EADS, are exempt from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act when bidding for United States Air Force contracts, while domestic suppliers are not exempt. I believe every defense supplier should be held to the same standard. I look forward to the Secretary’s prompt reply.
You can read the letter in its entirety, by clicking here.
In addition, I also sent out three letters to my Congressional colleagues to keep them informed on the latest tanker actions. You can read what I sent to my colleagues by clicking on my "Tanker Blog" entries below.
Illegal Subsidies Cost American Defense Jobs Today and in the Future
Air Force Adds Billions to Boeing’s KC-X Bid
Air Force Concerns About EADS Tanker Boom NOT Included in the Final Assessment
TANKER BLOG:
For all the latest in tanker contract actions, don’t forget to check out my "Tanker Blog", updated daily with videos, media interviews, floor speeches, letters to the President, and my Congressional colleagues that express my outrage over this contract.
In addition, if you would like to call the White House to voice your opinion about the Air Force tanker decision the number is 202-456-1111.

Here are some more facts for you ableone. Ask any pilot out there which aircraft series has better performance and the answer is Boeing hands down. Ask any pilots what aircraft are built better and last longer. Boeing, hands down. Ask any pilot/mechanic which airplane has better mechanical reliability. Boeing again. There's no reason that Airbus is better.

 

[Steveair]

By the way, France is having a big sale coming up this weekend. It's a really good deal on some guns; they've never been fired but they were once dropped.

 

[bagasticks]

deleted. . your ignorance on this issue is not worth arguing. .

 

[erj-145mech]

Here are some more facts for you ableone. Ask any pilot out there which aircraft series has better performance and the answer is Boeing hands down. Ask any pilots what aircraft are built better and last longer. Boeing, hands down. Ask any pilot/mechanic which airplane has better mechanical reliability. Boeing again. There's no reason that Airbus is better.

Where are the facts? What you have here is an unsubstantiated random opinion.
ANY pilot, ANY mechanic?

Once again, you have posted nothing but gibberish. Time to throw you into the ignored poster list. You are the weakest link! Good bye.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Where are the facts? What you have here is an unsubstantiated random opinion.
ANY pilot, ANY mechanic?

Once again, you have posted nothing but gibberish. Time to throw you into the ignored poster list. You are the weakest link! Good bye.

I heard that the Air Force has decided to go with neither Airbus or Boeing and instead placed an order for 4,785 CRJ mini tankers based on Steve-O's ride of choice, the Bomb-e-arde-yay. Will that tell those leviathans currently propping up the current military industrial complex to not mess around with the American knowitall?

Oui, I tell you. Oui.

 

[LJDRVR]

Steve,

After a very embarrassing scandal involving the 767 lease debacle, which cost several senior USAF Officers their career and some folks their freedom, do you believe:

Maybe, just maybe, the AF procurement machine took a little extra care to make sure their I's were dotted and their T's were crossed? Especially since they knew their selection of a foreign designed AC would come under intense media scrutiny and Congressional oversight?

Speaking as an individual who has prior first-hand experience with the USAF procurement and supply system, my bet is they did this one right.

So, here you are, somebody with no military, Boeing or Airbus experience loudly thumping his chest and telling everyone what a horrible airplane the NG product is and how teams of highly trained intelligent professionals got it all wrong, but since you read a few blogs you know what should've happened. You're spouting off gobs of nonsense about the EADS flight control system philosophy that anybody who has even jumpseated in an Airbus can instantly recognize as complete and utter drivel.

You claim the Boeing is a better tanker?

Dozens of Test Pilots, Boom Operators, Engineers, Mechanics, Procurement Lawyers and Mission Planners, whose salary you pay thought otherwise.

Gee, I wonder who's right?

You are entitled to your opinion of course, but here's some friendly advice from an anonymous stranger:

Back your assertions up with research and facts - and dear God, know your audience. You're making a complete and utter ass out of yourself, bro.

Just saying...

PS - Your anti-French comments? Weak.